A block of crystal-clear ice can instantly elevate the style of a glass of ordinary whiskey; a clean, impurity-free transparent ice block can make the fish and shrimp at a seafood stall look fresher and more appealing. Now, this "crystal ice," once only seen in upscale venues, is gradually entering more scenarios as transparent ice machine technology matures. Domestic companies like FOCUSUN are showcasing their "smart manufacturing" capabilities in the high-end refrigeration market.
Unlike the whitish ice blocks made by home refrigerators or ordinary ice makers, the ability of transparent block ice machines is to remove small air bubbles and impurities from the ice, producing ice that is both transparent and dense. The secret behind this is actually quite easy to understand: first, the water is filtered several times to remove sediment and minerals; then, a slow cooling method is used to allow the water molecules to condense properly, squeezing out any air bubbles; high-end models like FOCUSUN even have a vacuum degassing function, essentially giving the ice a "deep cleaning," resulting in ice as clear as crystal. This type of ice is not only beautiful but also melts slowly and cools evenly, making it suitable for everything from cocktails and seafood storage to cooling in laboratories.
In the catering industry, transparent ice machines have long been a standard feature of high-end beverages. In boutique whiskey bars in first-tier cities, bartenders sculpt transparent ice blocks into spheres and cubes and place them in the glasses. The ice melts slowly in the drink, preventing it from becoming too diluted and serving as a "mini-landscape" in the glass, allowing guests to enjoy both the taste and the visual appeal while drinking. Even chain coffee shops have their eyes on this technology. Ice balls made with small FOCUSUN clear ice machines paired with cold brew coffee have instantly become a trendy drink for young people, perfectly capturing both visual appeal and taste. 
Besides the food and beverage industry, transparent ice machines are also highly sought after in professional fields. In seafood markets, traditional ice blocks contain many impurities and melt quickly, easily causing seafood to frost over and spoil. However, ice blocks made with FOCUSUN transparent ice machines are high in purity and maintain a stable low temperature, locking in the freshness of seafood while allowing customers to clearly see its appearance, instantly elevating the stall's image. In hospital laboratories, this clean, transparent ice also prevents impurities from contaminating experimental samples, safeguarding critical processes such as vaccine storage and low-temperature sample processing.
Speaking of the development of domestically produced transparent block ice making machines, FOCUSUN is a prime example. Previously, high-end transparent ice machines were dominated by overseas brands and were extremely expensive. Later, FOCUSUN took the lead in technological breakthroughs, carving out its own path. For example, their intelligent temperature control system can automatically adjust parameters according to different scenarios, not only achieving a success rate of over 95% for transparent ice making but also saving 20% on electricity compared to older models. For small bars and cafes, they've also developed a tabletop transparent ice machine, smaller than a small table, capable of making 30 kilograms of ice per day—perfect for small shops. 
According to industry data, the domestic transparent ice maker market exceeded 1.2 billion yuan in 2024, growing by 25% annually, with the catering industry accounting for 60% of the market. However, this industry also faces challenges. Some small manufacturers, in their rush to gain market share, cut corners and produce inferior machines, disrupting the market. Furthermore, some core components still rely on imports, indicating room for improvement in domestic production. In the future, with the integration of intelligent and energy-saving technologies, companies like FOCUSUN will launch even more advanced transparent ice machines, capable of handling everything from custom-designed ice for high-end restaurants to precise cooling for laboratories. In this high-end refrigeration upgrade race, domestically produced transparent ice machines are gradually becoming the main force in the field, relying on their "intelligent manufacturing" strength.
